Famu's Big Concern Switches To Defense

Though never considered a sleeping giant, the Rattlers' offense showed spark for the first time in weeks Saturday night at Miami in a 33-30 victory over Alcorn State.

FAMU (2-5) broke a string of 12 quarters in which its offense failed to score a touchdown. But offensive coordinator Joseph Redmond said he wasn't surprised by the Rattlers' big numbers.

''I knew it was only a matter of time before the offense started doing things,'' Redmond said. ''The coaching staff has been saying that we wanted to make the second half of the season better than the first.''

Defensive coordinator Walter Highsmith said the defense was much to blame for the team's poor record.

''We have a very young defense,'' Highsmith said. ''And the players tend to get tired late in the game. We have really fallen apart in the fourth quarter of some games.''